Medalist Kim wins twice to start U.S. Girls Junior match play
 
Jul. 26, 2007

LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) -- Stroke-play medalist Kimberly Kim rallied to consecutive wins on Wednesday, the first day of match play at the U.S Girls' Junior Championship.

Kim, 15, trailed early during both matches on the 6,363-yard course at Tacoma Country and Golf Club. At one point in her morning match, she trailed by three holes. But she resumed her impressive week by rallying to win 4 & 3 over Amy Ruengmateekhun, and then by 5 & 3 in the afternoon over Tessa Teachman.

On Monday, Kim shot 10-under par 62 to win the stroke play portion of the tournament.

Cheyenne Woods, a niece of Tiger Woods, failed to qualify for match play. The 16-year-old missed the cut by four strokes with a two-round total of 11-over through Tuesday.

Defending champion Jenny Shin, 14, also failed to qualify for match play, missing by two strokes. She was the first girl eligible to defend her title since Leigh Anne Hardin in 1999. The event is open to any female golfer who has not reached her 18th birthday by the close of the competition and has a USGA handicap index that does not exceed 18.4.

Quarterfinals end Thursday afternoon. The championship match is Saturday. Meanwhile, in Augusta, Mo., Anthony Paolucci beat Bud Cauley 5 & 4 Wednesday to remain the youngest player still in contention at the U.S. Junior Amateur championship. The 14-year-old Paolucci advanced to the round of 32 along with top seed Seung Yul Noh. No. 4 seed Mu Hu was beaten 6 & 4 by Luke Guthrie. After two more rounds each on Thursday and Friday, a a 36-hole match play final is scheduled for Saturday at the 71-par course.

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